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DRAGON BALL HARDCORE
THE FUTURE EPILOGUE
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Bulma made sure that her future son got to experience as much of a good life while he was with them. She took him to parks, made him taste the best stuff of any restaurant in the world, and taught him a few good things about socializing. It was a pretty good month for him, but eventually he knew he had to return. He still has a promise to fulfill. Bulma was so glad to see him in good shape after everything, and decided to throw a huge party for all their friends to come. By pure coincidence, the androids 17 and 18 showed up that morning. They had a good few weeks to think, and they decided to start with the right foot. Bulma immediately invited them to the party, treating them as if she knew them her whole life.
Once everyone had arrived the celebration began. They had good food and high spirits. In the middle of the celebration, Launch let Dina crawl around, but she stood up all of the sudden, shocking everyone. It didn't take long before she spotted baby Boku, and the two started to playfully wrestle with their tiny little hands. Future Boku had to break up the baby fight, and told his past self that she will be his best friend, and he has to treat her like a lady if he doesn't want to end up with missing teeth.
Eventually Boku was alone in the corner, and was approached by Tien, Bulma and Gohan. The little Super Saiyan asked if he was excited for the bright new future he'll return to, but Boku said it wasn't that simple.
By his own experience and by Cell's account, his future shall not change. The moment he went back in time, he created this timeline of events that is separate to his own. Even if Gero was completely defeated like in Cell's timeline, his Time Machine can only return to the future it was made in. When he returns, he still has two androids to take care of. But what he didn't understand is why everyone is so happy for him. He failed. He came here to save everyone, and nearly everyone died regardless.
Bulma asked if he was blind; he must be seeing things wrong. All three people in front of him right now would be dead if it wasn't for him and his help. And if he looks even further back he'll see those same enemies now, hanging around the party like friends. He gave them peace but it wasn't without its sacrifices. What he did for them is priceless. He used the future to save their present, and now it was time to use what he learned in the present to save the future; Gohan said that with a wink. Boku extended his hand to Gohan and gave him a fist bump. "Thank you, Gohan."
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After all, it was time to go. Boku took all his little presents and food to go, all barely fitting in the time machine with him. As he looked the polished machine up and down, 17 and 18 approached him from behind one last time. 17 said, "hey future boy… Go wreck our geriatric shit, okay?" Boku gave him a nod. 18 looked like she didn't have anything to say, but as he turned to her, she got in close and gave him a little kiss on the cheek; making everyone comically react behind her. "Is this what boys like, right?" she asked 17, making everyone fall comically too. Truly, those two still are kids at heart.
As he climbed up the ladder, he saw "hope!" written on the side, and smiled. Bulma said with teary eyes, "See you in fourteen years, sweetie," which got a chuckle out of Boku. He got in, closed the rooftop and took a deep breath. He pressed a lot of buttons, set the date and location, and pressed start. His Time Machine took off towards the sky, and he waved everyone goodbye.
Boku swore he could've seen Goku, Piccolo and his father there with the rest; halos over their heads. Goku even puts his hand over Gohan's shoulder, and he seems to feel it and turn around. After all, they kept their promises. They will be watching… always.
And so with a flash of light, Boku's energy and time machine disappear from everyone's senses. They all knew he had this on the bag now. Out of everyone he saved there, it was time for Boku to save himself.
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He reappeared in Diablo Desert, in front of Yamcha's hideout just 14 years in his future. He got out and already knew everything he had to do. There was no time to waste; he blasted off to commence his own plan.
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17 and 18 were just playing their sadistic games in the destroyed West City. They looked absolutely putrid; 17 was beginning to grow bald as his hairline receded even more, and 18's age couldn't be hidden behind all the fancy clothing she wore. They were playing their little game with some old man inside a car. He was stuck; 17 was trying to shoot him down with his gun but he sucked at it. They start discussing when suddenly the old man pulls out his own gun and tries shooting 17 for killing his son so many years ago. He shot him in the face, but it did nothing other than get him mad. He started walking up to him, and snatched the gun away from the old man. "It's my turn still, grandpa."
When he was about to pull the trigger at the old man's skull, someone came in with a double flying kick that launched 17 all the way back to his sister. They both looked in shock; they couldn't believe it, but it was that same guy who provided them with much fun in the past. He was alive and back. They ask him how he has been doing lately, to which Boku only frowns and doesn't respond. Instead he turns his attention to the old man inside the car. He rips out the door and puts the old man on his feet. "There are a few soldiers waiting behind that building, they'll take you somewhere safe."
The androids did nothing as the old man thanked him and feebly limped away. They thought Boku was so cute, playing hero and all. Boku didn't want to hear anything more of their stupid shit; he's sick of it. He told them to shut up this time.
"You know, I've been on quite the adventure while I was away. I met a lot of good people. They… helped me. I even met you two before all this happened. It makes me even more sick to my stomach, knowing that you guys had a choice all along and still chose to do all of this."
18 was already sick of hearing him already; he was boring as usual. She wondered if he was gonna fight or run again, to which Boku replied. "No… No more running away. I totally could, but I don't want to. If my calculations are correct, and they are, you two don't have more than a year left in your miserable lives. If I wait two months reading a book, I could come back and you two would be too weak to fight me, and I would kill both of you. It's sad, really. But, through my 'past' adventures… I found out the proper method to deal with you."
Out of his pocket, Boku drew the remote for their Ultra Reactors, which sent chills down their spines. They both immediately got into an attack position. "Where did you get that?!" 18 shouted.
"I happened to come across a secret lab in a mountain range. This is just a little trinket I found accumulating dust there. Cool, isn't it? I even made some "special" adjustments to it; nothing too complicated. But even so, this was not even close to the coolest thing I found there. Wanna see it?"
They had enough. Both of them charged at him at full speed to get the remote. But Boku stood still, and only raised one of his arms to the sky.
Out of nowhere, this hulking guy, probably seven or eight feet tall, just landed in front of 17 and 18 and grabbed them by their necks. He raised them from the ground, and now they could see his stoic expression, ginger hair and bizarre green armor with the Red Ribbon sign on it. Boku said, "that's good, 16. Keep them like that," to which 16 just said, "affirmative."
17 and 18 tried to kick and punch him, but they did nothing to him; not even their point blank blasts to his face had an effect. They knew he was an android, but how come Gero made androids more powerful than they are? They couldn't understand. Boku answered, "He wasn't made stronger than you. 16 has the same base power as any of Gero's latest androids. It was YOU TWO that got weaker with time and didn't realize. You might be a little stronger than me still, but to him you're nothing anymore."
The two couldn't release themselves from his grip. They couldn't breathe properly. 17 started panicking, and offered Boku everything he could remember he owned. 18 promised to give him a kiss if he lets them go; maybe even a peek if he wanted. They are so immature that it hurts to believe that these two were the same cold-blooded killers who ruined everything. "Sorry, but I'm not so stupid. Dinchiaohan, that girl that you two killed… I promised her that I would save the world… and that's what I'm gonna do."
Boku then said, "16… begin part two, if you please."
And so, with his superior strength, 16 arched himself back and then tossed 17 and 18 into the air; too strong and fast for them to contain it. Soon enough they were about to leave the atmosphere. Boku wielded the remote with one hand, and with the other he gripped his arm with his father's orange band still strapped to it. For all of those who have fallen, both past and future, it all ends now. "My nightmares end here. THIS IS THE END FOR YOU! BEGONE!"
He presses the button; breaking it with his thumb. 17 and 18 feel something weighing on their chests. They looked at each other one last time in shock. They screamed to their very end. Those nasty brats got what was coming for them, at long last.
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Boku and 16 watched from the ground below as the two became nothing more than some dirty fireworks. The light illuminated the sky and shook the Earth, but it was all over. The soldiers and civilians hidden around the wreckage all came out to see the explosion. Most dropped to their knees and cried in relief. After so many years these devils left their planet. They began surrounding Boku, and praying for him in celebration. The surprising news was related through the radio by the crying young lady. In a matter of seconds, the whole world got out of their hiding and celebrated throughout day and night.
Eventually Boku was met with the new King of Earth; who seconds before was the leader of the united front of refugees; Mr. Oolong with his blue blazer and gray mustache. He commends Boku for that victory, not only for him but for humanity itself. He went above and beyond; his parents would be so proud if they were here today. Boku, shrugging tears of relief, turns to 16 and states that he is no longer 16's master. His new master is King Oolong, and he shall aid him in everything; be it rebuilding the world or fighting evil. With a simple smile 16 says, "understood."
Boku wanted to stay a little longer, but he has someone to talk to. And so he blasted away into the skies. Oolong shrugged a tear and said, "you guys can finally rest easy…"
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Launch was just sitting by the steps of kame house, watching the waves go by when Boku suddenly appeared from the sky. He swiftly lands in front of her, silent. Then he sat beside her and told her everything. He managed to travel safely to the past, and he managed to… save most of them. They should be in peace, but… it turns out that their circumstances cannot change. Dina… can't be brought back. Neither can his father, or his mother, or Mr. Tien, or Goku and Gohan. Their old lives are gone, no matter what they do. He apologizes to her.
Launch breaks her silence by mentioning that she caught the news from the radio. Dina wasn't wrong in the slightest. Boku saved their future, and not only that, he saved the past too. She pats his head with his yellow beanie, saying he has nothing to apologize for. In fact, she has to thank him for bringing Dina's dream to life.
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As the two sat there and watched the waves go by, in the skies they saw a vision of hope. Their fallen friends look back at them with bright smiles. Dina gives her friend a thumbs up, as do all the fallen Z-warriors. Over that blue sky, in that small island of eternal peace, Boku finished his journey with a smile.
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Dragon Ball Hardcore volume 1, The Saiyan, Frieza and Cell Saga… the end.